Tyre pressures

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   Since it seems quite common for the standard wheels and tyres to be replaced - particularly if like mine, they were metrics - what tyre pressures are people using?  I was struggling around, so I thought I'd check mine.  They were 27psi front and 33psi rear.  I have upped these to 34/36 front/rear and the difference is very noticeable - as you might expect.  I run 225/50 x 16 tyres, but I'm afraid I don't know the width of the wheel.  These pressures seem to work nicely, although I haven't had rain yet...
It occurred to me this morning as I was driving into work that this will contribute to the vague, wallowy steering/suspension so often complained of on this forum.
So, I thought I'd provoke some opinion on the matter!

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Jimbonic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 24-February-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 109	Topic: Tyre pressures Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:01
	Since it seems quite common for the standard wheels and tyres to be replaced - particularly if like mine, they were metrics - what tyre pressures are people using? I was struggling around, so I thought I'd check mine. They were 27psi front and 33psi rear. I have upped these to 34/36 front/rear and the difference is very noticeable - as you might expect. I run 225/50 x 16 tyres, but I'm afraid I don't know the width of the wheel. These pressures seem to work nicely, although I haven't had rain yet... It occurred to me this morning as I was driving into work that this will contribute to the vague, wallowy steering/suspension so often complained of on this forum. So, I thought I'd provoke some opinion on the matter!
	Jimbonic 1989 535iSE Manual, Sport pack, Leather, Climate Control

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520ian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06-August-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 36	Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:11
	How old is your car? 225/60 R15 fitted to 535's should run 29 front and 34 rear.

Jimbonic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 24-February-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 109	Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:16
	It's an '89, ie quite early. The tyres are 16", rather than 15". Also, I am quite an "enthusiastic" driver!
	Jimbonic 1989 535iSE Manual, Sport pack, Leather, Climate Control

520ian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06-August-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 36	Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:26
	pressures should still be set at 29 and 34. Go much more than that with just 1 or 2 people in and your in danger of more than just a few sideways moments in the damp on roundabout or bend!!!

520ian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06-August-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 36	Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:29
	If your tyres are 225 then rim width is 7".

Jimbonic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 24-February-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 109	Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:51
	The wheels are non-standard, so I would guess that the they could be 7", but who knows. I used to run 205/50x15s on 7" rims with great effect - OK it was a lighter car (kit car racer & Yoko A008Rs) - and phenominal grip. The rims I have look a little over-tyred to me - I prefer a straight, or slightly curved in, sidewall for rigidity and these bulge slightly. I'm going to play with pressures over the next few weeks, so I'll report back. The wheel/tyre combination is not covered in my owner's manual, so I am mostly making this up as I go along - with your (and others?) help. Do you run handbook pressures in your 520? I have always found the handbook pressure to be a little on the low side in whatever I have been driving!
	Jimbonic 1989 535iSE Manual, Sport pack, Leather, Climate Control

520ian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06-August-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 36	Posted: 02-September-2004 at 10:10
	No i dont run handbook pressures, as you say, always a little on the low side. I have a copy of the autodata 2 cd and they give advice on the best pressures for the car and not what the manufacturer recomends.

Jimbonic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 24-February-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 109	Posted: 02-September-2004 at 10:24
	Excellent! Is that where you got the 535 pressures? If so, sounds quite a handy tool. Where mighht one acquire this?
	Jimbonic 1989 535iSE Manual, Sport pack, Leather, Climate Control

520ian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06-August-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 36	Posted: 02-September-2004 at 10:32
	As far as i know autodata is sold to garages etc for roughly �599 plus a yearly subscription to allow you to continue using it! Needless to say i didnt pay any of that for mine!! No its not stolen!!!